President Donald Trump ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on March 15, 2025, targeting Houthi rebel positions12. The operation involved U.S. air and naval assets, including fighter jets from the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea, as well as Air Force attack planes and armed drones launched from regional bases2. This military action marks the largest and most significant operation of Trump's second term2.

The strikes targeted dozens of Houthi assets, including missiles, radars, and drone and air defense systems2. Trump characterized the operation as an "opening salvo" against the Houthis, sending a strong message to Iran2. The president vowed to continue using "overwhelming lethal force" until the Iranian-backed group halts its attacks on shipping in the vital maritime corridor34. This decisive action follows a period of escalating tensions in the region, with the Houthis recently threatening to resume attacks on Israeli vessels in response to Israel's blockade of Gaza45.

The airstrikes were justified by citing the Houthis' "unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism" against American and other vessels, aircraft, and drones12. According to Trump's statement, no U.S.-flagged commercial ship had safely traversed the Suez Canal, Red Sea, or Gulf of Aden for over a year, and the last American warship to navigate the Red Sea four months prior had been attacked by Houthis more than a dozen times3. These attacks reportedly cost the U.S. and global economy "many billions of dollars" while endangering lives4. Trump also criticized former President Joe Biden's approach to the Houthis as "pathetically weak," claiming it allowed the group to continue their attacks unchecked5.

According to the Houthi-run health ministry, the U.S. airstrikes resulted in at least nine fatalities and nine injuries in Yemen's capital, Sanaa12. The Houthi media office claimed that a residential neighborhood in Sanaa's northern district of Shouab was hit during the operation3. Visual evidence circulating online showed plumes of black smoke rising over the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a military facility3. These reports highlight the immediate impact of the military action on the ground, though the full extent of the damage and casualties remains to be fully assessed.

In his announcement of the airstrikes, Trump issued stern warnings to both the Houthi rebels and Iran. He declared to the Houthis, "YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY," threatening further military action if they continued their aggression12. Addressing Iran, Trump demanded an immediate end to their support for the "Houthi terrorists" and cautioned against threatening the American people, their president, or global shipping lanes3. The operation is not expected to be a one-time event, with Trump vowing to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping in the vital maritime corridor34.